London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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STAFF
The staff employed in the public health department is set out in Appendix D on
page 202.
Training of staff by attendance at conferences and courses held by organisations
outside the Council's service and in-service training provided by the Council, on
occasions with the assistance of other bodies, has continued along the lines described
in the report of 1956.
The London University Institute of Education in the main and, to a lesser extent,
the Battersea College of Technology and the Royal College of Nursing continue to
provide theoretical training for the student health visitors (normally 50) appointed
each year by the Council. These students receive their practical instruction in the
department's divisional establishments. Of the 48 students completing the course in
1957, 47 passed and one resigned from the service before doing so. Of those who passed,
one was released from her undertaking to take up employment with the Council for
a minimum of six months after qualification.
Medical
examination!
Numbers of staff medically examined for various purposes, with the result of the examination, follow :
| 1956 | 1957 | 1956 | 1957 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates fit for appointment | 6,408 | 6,286 | Eligibility for Spouse Pensions | 21 | 26 |
| Candidates unfit for permanent appointment | 297 | 285 | Staff casualties seen by a medical officer | 231 | 240 |
| Referrals (ill-health) | 7,207 | 7,268 | Candidates for out-county authorities | 76 | 65 |
| Permanently unfit to carry out their ordinary duties. | 302 | 245 | |||
| Candidates examined for the Council by out-county medical officers of health | 69 | 77 | |||
| Advice given (without examination) | 1,434 | 1,378 |
Food
Hygiene
Regulations
Bacteriological examination of specimens from staff employed as food-handlers were arranged as follows :
| 1956 | 1957 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ill | 307 | 270 |
| Contact | 139 | 107 |
| Allowed to resume work after examination | 430 | 360 |
| Excluded from work and referred to own doctor for treatment | 16 | 17 |
Retirements,
etc.
In November, 1957, Dr. M. C. Polhill, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.H., who had
been Deputy Divisional Medical Officer of Division 3 since 1948, retired after 37 years
in the Council's service. Dr. Polhill had spent the greater part of his official career in
the school health service and his predominant interest had been the health and welfare
of the school-child. His competence and never failing courtesy in dealing with children
and their parents have been most marked and he has made a valuable contribution
towards the efficient running of the health services for which the Council is responsible.
In December, Dr. N. C.Walsh was appointed to be Deputy Divisional Medical
Officer in Dr. Polhill's place.
In March, 1957, Dr. H. D. Chalke, O.B.E., T.D., M.A., M.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.,
D.P.H., who had been Divisional Medical Officer for Division 7 since 1948, combining
with the appointment that of Medical Officer of Health for the Metropolitan Borough
of Camberwell, resigned from the Council's service to undertake the borough appointment
in a full-time capacity. He has had a long and distinguished career in the public
health services in London and has shown special interest in tuberculosis and in health
education. He has shown distinguished administrative capacity and has made a major
contribution to the divisional health organisation. It is a satisfaction to reflect that his
qualities are still at the service of public health in London. Dr. E. A. Mower-White
147